Monday, 7 December 2009

Our weekend

We returned yesterday evening from a lovely weekend away. We set off on Friday in Ronnie (our camper van) arriving in Brighton at about 3.30pm. It was beginning to get dark by then, so we were glad to get settled quickly. We haven't used the van in the winter before, and were delighted to find how well the heater worked and with the blinds down on all the windows we quickly became very cosy. After supper, a one-pot chicken casserole, we spent the evening listening to the radio and I did some sewing. (This photograph is from the internet and shows the camp site in summer)

On Saturday we had a leisurely start and then called a taxi to take us to Number Two Son's house, where we delivered Christmas presents for his partner, and a birthday present for Alexander, whose birthday is on the 17th. Shortly after we got there Number One Son arrived. It's the first time since August that they've seen each other. The four of us then set off for lunch (Alexander's partner is studying for exams next week so didn't join us) - Christopher had ham, egg and chips; Oliver had a very fine home made burger and salad; Alexander had fish and chips; and I had butternut squash and mozarella risotto. Later we tramped around the very crowded Brighton shops looking for a jacket for Oliver, which was to be his Christmas present.

Oliver and I are very similar, we don't like shopping, we don't like crowds and we very quickly lose interest and get grumpy. However, Christopher and Alexander jollied us along and eventually we found something that suited him, which was great. So that was his Christmas present sorted out.

Oliver wasn't able to stay for the evening, but we'd had such a wonderful afternoon. The 'boys' are such a hoot when they get together and it's lovely to see how well they get on now. After Oliver had left, Alexander cooked us some supper (chicken casserole again, but we didn't tell him that we'd had it the night before) and very good it was too. We got a taxi back to the camp site at about 10 o'clock.

On Sunday we got going very early and were away by 8 o'clock, to drive up to Christopher's old running club so that he could join them for their Sunday morning run. It was good to see our old friends again.

We got home at about 4.30pm, driving the last part in the dark. Our days are so short now - only another couple of weeks to the shortest day on the 21st December, then the days will start to get longer again. Rosie had been busy whilst we were away and we were greeted with no less than five dead mice dotted around the house!

It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. It's always so nice to spend time with our children, and especially when they enjoy it as much as we do. I thought when I saw the picture of the campground that that is the first picture that I have seen on your blog that looks like it could have been taken here. Maybe because it was far away, but most of your pictures are of places that are so historical that we don't have anything that can match them. We certainly have our share of tall buildings of newer vintage though.

Sounds like you had a lovely weekend. Rosie had a good weekend also. We have been having snow the last couple of days. It comes down slowly and very small flakes so it isn't creating great big piles, but it is starting to look very white. Thursday it should get above freezing.

What a nice weekend it sounds like and glad that you are enjoying your new motorhome. I did notice that you said that your sons get along well now, do you mean that siblings eventually stop bickering and teasing each other? Because some days that drives me crazy. Sound like Rosie was busy, better dead than seeing them run around. Eww - I hate mice!

I'm so glad you had such a nice visit with your sons. It's really great to spend time with the kids, don't you think? I really miss mine. I won't see them until spring. I love the idea of traveling in the camper van. It saves on hotel fees, I imagine.

Families together who get on are such fun! I hate shopping and crowds too so I know how tedious it is when you just have to stay the course and do something. Glad you had a good weekend- ones like that are such a gift.